Mold for relief ornamentation.



w. H. HENAY. I MOLD FOR BELIEF ORN AMENTATION.

(Application filed Jan. 19, 1899.)

No. 637,509. Patented Nov. 2|, I899.

(No Modal.)

\X/ITNEEE Ea:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. HENAY, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS,

MOLD FOR RELIEF ORNAMENTATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 637,509, datedNovember 21, 1899. Application filed January 19, 1899. Serial No.702,659. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. HENAY, of Cambridge, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Molds for Relief Ornamentation, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to molds adapted to be used for forming reliefornamentation on objects of various kinds, such as walls and ceilings ofrooms, and on portable articles, such as book-covers, cards, &c.

The invention is an improvement on the mold described in Letters Patentof the United States No. 582,821, granted to me May 18, 1897, said moldbeing composed of a flexible reticulated sheet and a flexible filling inthe meshes of portions of the sheet and embedding or covering saidportions, forming practically smooth surfaces at both sides of the mold,said filling being arranged to expose portions of the sheet and permitthe passage of plastic material therethrough to the surface to beornamented. The material thus deposited has the form of the exposedportions of the sheet and constitutes relief ornamentation.

The present invention has for its object, first, to so improve the moldas to make it capable of producing designs of greater delicacy andintricateness than heretofore, and, secondly, to enable the reticulatedsheet and its flexible filling to be put upon the market in a protectedcondition as a mold-blank adapted to be conveniently converted into anoperative mold by an art-worker, who is enabled by my improvement topurchase the mold-blank and complete the mold for his own use by makingportions of the filling permanent and removing other portions of thefilling in accordance with the design he desires to produce.

The invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed todescribe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figures 1, 2, and 3 are perspective views representing difierent stagesof the operation of making the moldblank. Figs. 1 and 2 are enlargedsections, respectively, on lines 1 1 Fig. 1, and 2 2', Fig. 2. Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 2,

showing an intermediate step. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged section online 3 3, Fig. 3. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged sectional view of theprotected mold-blank resulting from the steps illustrated by thepreceding figures. Fig. 5 represents a view similar to Fig. 4, showingthe protecting-sheets partially removed from the mold-blank. Fig. 6represents a completed mold.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

In carrying out my invention I proceed as follows: On a bed I), ofmarble, glass, or other suitable material, I spread smoothlyabacking-shee t c of pager, which has been moistened on botlT sides. Onthis backing-sheet I spread a reticulated sheet 0', which is preferablyof the same size as the backing-sheet and is preferably composed ofthreads of fibrous material, such as cotton or lk, interwoven'to forma'ni'esh ofany desired fineness. When patterns of somewhat intricate anddelicate design are produced, I find it desirable to use a textilefabric, such as screen or bolting cloth, the threads of which arerelativelyfine and form a fine mesh. The reticulated sheet 0 ispreferably treated with prote c ti w materialsuch as oil, white lead orvarnisl1to insure durability and prevent the displacement of the threadsduring the subsequent treatment to which the sheet is subjected, carebeing taken to avoid filling the spaces of the sheet with the saidprotective material, which should simply saturate or coat the threadswithout adding appreciably to their bulk. While the reticulated sheet isresting on the backing-sheet a plastic filling dis forced into itsmeshes, said filling being forced through the meshes into close contactwith the backing-sheet, the outer surface of the filling (1 being formedby scraping off they surplus material to form a face which issubstantially flush with the outer surfaces d of the threads of thefabric. The filling should be capable of readily absorbing the liquidbinder, hereinafter referred to, and of adhering firmly to the threadsof the reticulated sheet. It should also be capable of adboring to thebacking-sheet and also to the facing-sheet, hereinafter referred to,with sufficient firmness to prevent the peeling off or detachment ofsaid sheets until the mold isready for use, and at the same time it mustfreely release said sheets when they are moistened preparatory tostripping the mold. It is important, moreover, that the filling besoluble in water, for a reason hereinafter explained. I have used withgood results for this filling an absorbent consisting of a mixture ofdry white lead and clay in equal parts, together with a solution ofglucose and flour-paste, the whole forming a plastic composition capableof being readily forced into the reticulated sheet, the glucose andpaste forming a cement which is soluble in water. After the filling dhas been formed as above described and while it is soft and plastic Iapply a facing-sheet e, of moist paper, to its outer surface. The threelayers thus connected are then subjected to pressure by rolling orotherwise and are then dried. The product is a protected mold-blank,which can be kept in stock by dealers and can be utilized by theart-worker in the manner described hereinafter, the said productcomprising a reticulated sheet lying uniformly embedded in a sheet ofplastic composition and protected on either side by paper adhering tothe surfaces of the compound sheet of reticulated material andcomposition. \Vhen it is desired to complete the mold, the facing-sheete is removed, said sheet readily stripping from the mold when slightlymoistened. The upper surface of the composition is thusexposed,presentingafirm,smooth, and uniform ground. The composition isprotected during the operation of removing the facing-sheet and duringthe-subsequent operations by the backing-sheet, which at this timeadheres closely to the composition. A design adapted to the nature ofthe reticulated sheet can now be drawn with pencil or mlr irestln at 91.,te13snrfaeestatfill iifgddor may be transferred to said surface by anyof the usual methods or by photography. Owing to the relative strengthof the filling composition, due to the presence of an adhesive materialin it, such as the glucose and flour paste, the filling is capable ofsustaining without injury any pressure required in drawing or otherwiseapplying the design to its outer surface, this protection beingaugmented by the backing-sheet, which adheres to the filling during theoperation of applying the design to its outer surface. All the outlinesof the design, together with the broader masses and shadings,are thentreated with a suitable adhesive binding liquid, applied with a pen orbrush, said liquid being of such character as that when applied to thefilling it will permeate the parts of the filling to which it is appliedand render the same practically insoluble by water. I have used withsatisfactory results a solution of shellac. I have also usedcoach-varnish and may use any other material which is sufiicientlyliquid to be readily applied with a brush or pencil and is sufficientlyadhesive to render the parts of the filling which it touches insolublein water, as above stated. After the binding liquid has dried thebacking-sheet ais slightly moistened and stripped from the mold-blank,both surfaces of which are then exposed. All portions of the filling notrendered insoluble by the binding liquid can now be washed out with warmor cold Water, the result being the formation of openings in thefilling, through which openings portions of the reticulated sheet areexposed, said openings permitting the design of the mold to bereproduced upon any surface against which the mold may be placed byforcing plastic composition, paste, or color with a brush or knife orother suitable instrument onto the surface to be decorated. Before themold formed as above described is used to any considerable extent Iprefer to treat its back with a coating of oil or varnish to increasethe durability of the mold.

The mold thus produced is both flexible and durable and is capable ofconforming accurately to undulations and inequalities in the surface tobe ornamented without the liability of bridging over portions of saidsurface between two points between which is a recess or hollow, thisresult being due to the extreme flexibility obtained by the use of areticulated sheet of textile fabric. Besides the advantage of extremeflexibility and pliability obtained by the use of textile fabric Iobtain a more firm and intimate union between the filling compositionand the fabric, the said composition adhering more tenaciously to thetextile threads than to the meshes of a sheet of wire-cloth.

It will be seen that the protected moldblank above described is notliable to injury by ordinary usage in handling and shipping, so thatthere is no obstacle on this score to its extensive use. The completedmolds above described are easily operated, presenting a uniform surfaceto receive the operating composition and conforming closely to thesurface to be decorated, as already stated. These molds can be operatedeffectively in producing ornamentation upon cloth, wood, plaster, paper,paint, or glass grounds and are easily cleansed when not in use. Moldsof minute detail or those of broader and bolder character for largerdecorative work can be produced with great facility, my inventionpresenting to the general decorator or art-worker a durable practicalmedium capable of effective results at moderate expense.

The life of the molds can be extended almost indefinitely by proper carein protecting the filling composition and the reticulated sheet from thefriction of-the operating knife or brush by a coating of suitablevarnish from time to time, as circumstances may require.

I do not limit myself to the particular composition herein described asthe filling composition and, may variously modify the same withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

Vhile for various purposes, such as flexibility and capability of firmand intimate union with the filling composition, I prefer textile fabricor fibrous material for the reticulated sheet and have claimed the samehereinafter as one of my present improvements, I desire it to beunderstood that I do not limit myself to a reticulated sheet made offibrous material, as other features of my invention herein describedwill cooperate advantageously with a reticulated sheet'made of wire, asdescribed in my former patent. For example, a filling composition havingasa component part abindingingredient-such as a solution of glucose orflour-paste, or bothwill give the completed mold the desired firmnessand strength, enabling it to be drawn upon, whether used with areticulated sheet of fibrous material g gf metal. Also, the mol'dflalankprotected by backing and facing sheets may have its reticulated portionof fibrous material or of metal without departing from the spirit ofthis part of the invention.

It will be seen that the filling above described,comprisinga suitableabsorbent, such as a mixture of dry white lead and clay, and a cementwhich unites the particles of said absorbent to each other and to thereticulated sheet, said cement being soluble in water, is particularlyuseful, because it is sufficiently tough to be flexed and to be acted onby a pencil or other means used in outlining a design on the fillingwithout liability of crumbling. Hence a mold-blank embodying myinvention is both flexible and durable and is adapted to readily absorba binding liquid to make portions of the filling insoluble andpermanent.

Another point in which this invention is an improvement on the molddescribed in mysaid Patent No. 582,821 is that when the mold de scribedin said patent is in the form of a blank the filling is not flexible,but, on the contrary, is brittle. The present invention when in the formof a mold-blank has a flexi ble filling, not a brittle one, and saidfilling is therefore not disturbed in its relation to the reticulatedsheet during transportation or handling. The flexible protecting layerspermit the flexible reticulated sheet and the flexible filling to yieldin transportation or when being handled without disturbing the relationsbetween the filling and the sheet. In the patent above referred to thesheet when in the form of a mold-blank, having, as above stated, abrittle filling, could not be readily transported and handled even ifprovided with protecting-layers, for the reason that such handling isliable to disturb the brittle particles of the filling, which would thenbe liable to be removed when the protectinglayers are removed.

I claim 1. As an article of manufacture, a protected mold-blankcomprising a flexible reticulated sheet of fibrous material, a flexibledissoluble fillingin the meshes of the sheet, said reticulated sheet andfilling constituting the moldblank, and a flexible protecting-layerdetachably secured to the mold-blank.

2. As an article of manufacture, a protected mold-blank comprising aflexible reticulated sheet of fibrous material, a flexible dissolublefilling in the meshes of the sheet, said reticulated sheet and fillingconstituting the moldblank, and two flexible protecting-layersdetachably secured to the mold-blank and covering both sides of thesame.

3. As an article of manufacture, a mold of the character specified,comprising a flexible reticulated sheet, and a flexible filling insortedin the meshes of portions of the sheet and composed of a composition inwhich pow= dered material is bonded or united bya soluble adhesive.

4. As an article of manufacture, a mold of the character specified,comprising a flexible reticulated sheet composed of fibrous material,and a filling composition which adheres firmly to the threads of thesheet and is soluble in water.

5. As an article of manufacture, a moldblank composed of a flexiblereticulated sheet, and a flexible filling comprising a suitableabsorbent, and a cement which is soluble in water, said cement unitingthe particles of the absorbent to each other and to the reticulatedsheet.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM H. HENAY.

Witnesses: I

O. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON.

